This term Mrs Webber led the History book club for Key Stage Three students, which discussed Out of the Smoke by Matthew Wainwright. This helped the pupils build their historical imagination and context for their study of Industrial Britain, as well as helping to support their wider reading. The pupils who attended read the text enthusiastically and really enjoyed the opportunity to discuss it with their peers!

I really enjoyed Out of the Smoke because it gives a really detailed account of an orphan and chimney-sweep who is forced to work with Gerrard. My favourite character was Billy as I admire his resilience even though he begins as a chimney sweep, then becomes a criminal with two gangs and then he joins a rugged school with help from the Earl of Shaftesbury after he gets caught to get an education.

Also, the novel is great to read , and my favourite scene is when Billy and Tosher are desperate to save Clara (a stowaway slave from the West-Indies) and manage to get help after Archie Miller (the mastermind criminal) shoots her badly. I like the ending a lot as it describes how Billy has faced so many hardships in his life as a chimney-sweep, and he finally has the chance to exchange his gangland life for an education. Overall, the book was really good as it gave me some insight as how life was like in the Victorian Era and I would recommend it to all.

Rohan, Year Seven

I enjoyed reading it because it gives a detailed perspective of a poor child and chimney sweep in Victorian England. My favourite character was Billy because he was brave and resilient in making his decisions. I didn't know that poor children were treated so badly in the Victorian period!. My favourite scene was when he saved Clara from the sea because it was very heroic. Clara is an interesting character as she is a stowaway from the West Indies, showing she must have been very brave!

Devayan, Year Seven

I enjoyed this book as it explains the hardships faced by a poor person in Victorian Lonon from a young age. It also shows us the importance of education as the characters would not be in a helpless position throughout this book if they had an education. My favourite character was Billy because of his resilience as he is constantly thrown out onto the street, but still manages to carry on with life.

Affan, Year Seven